Your front door sets the stage for your home. It’s the first item guests see as they enter, and it’s the last thing they see when they leave. It’s also the main point of entry to a home, so a front door is more important than many people realize.
Often, homeowners think that a front door only plays a role in looking nice and allowing access into the home. But the function of a door can affect other aspects of a home as well.
If you’ve been thinking about replacing your front door, here are 7 reasons this might be a good idea for your home.
1. Broken or Damaged Door
A rundown, broken door is a sure time for a front door replacement. Broken doors can cause security issues, decrease the comfort and efficiency of your home, and look terrible and uninviting. As you notice cracks and breaks in the door itself or in the surrounding frame, take action. These issues will only worsen over time.
Signs You Need a New Front Door:
- Won’t open or close easily
- Condensation in glass panes
- Does not properly or easily lock
- Rust
- Cracks or holes
- Dents
Often, a front door replacement can be as simple as replacing only the door itself. However, if you notice any of the above issues in the door frame as well, you will likely need a new front door. Contact a professional for an inspection and quote for replacing an exterior door if you have any uncertainty.
2. Curb Appeal
Want a new look to the front of your home? A new door is an easy way to improve your curb appeal. A fresh door looks clean and sturdy and is a more affordable improvement option than many other exterior changes (such as new paint or siding, full window replacements, or a new roof).
This is a great place to add a pop of color or increase the size of your entryway. You can add a larger door, convert a single panel door into French doors, swap out door materials, add windows within the framing package, change the color, and so much more.
3. Energy Efficiency
If you’ve noticed a surge in your energy bills or you simply want to increase the energy efficiency of your home, a replacement door is a cost-effective route you can take. To begin with, newer doors are better insulated than older models.
New steel or fiberglass doors can insulate an entryway greater than five times that of a solid wood door. It is also important to account for windows. The greater the number of windows in the door and framing package, the less insulation the door provides.
4. Security
Your windows and doors are the access points to your home. Installing a new, steel door increases the safety of your home. Modern doors have a variety of lock options from standard bolts to keyless entry. The right type of lock can make a security difference.
But more than the lock, the door itself plays the most important role in security. Broken down doors are an obvious risk for security breaches. But did you know that wooden doors are more likely to attract burglars and thieves than steel or fiberglass?
Steel is a sturdier material, making it more difficult to break into the home.
5. ROI
If you are looking to make updates to your home but you want those updates to provide a good return on investment upon resale, a steel front door checks that item off your list. Steel doors have consistently been one of the highest returning home improvement projects during the sale of a home.
On average, a new steel door can bring in as much as a 95.4% return, making it the third-highest grossing improvement for the Portland area. (And not just for the Portland area. Steel doors have been a great return on investment across the United States for years.)
6. Accessibility
Your door is not one size fits all. Doors can be created in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate your needs. As the main point of entry for your home, accessibility can be a great reason to swap out your front door for a new package.
You can add a wider door to make a home more wheelchair or walker accessible or make it easier to get in and out with strollers. You can also make a door easier to open by adding keyless locks or handles that can be opened using an elbow only.
7. Less Maintenance
Maintenance plays a huge role in owning a home. Therefore, anything that can lessen the maintenance load is a plus. And a new steel door can do just that. Steel and fiberglass are less susceptible to warping or rotting than wood. They are also less likely to peel or chip their paint.
Because wood absorbs moisture, it must be resealed or painted every couple of years or as its protective layer peels. Steel does not have this same issue and requires far fewer touchups.
Open the Door to Possibilities
If you desire any of these options, it’s time to update the entry of your home with a new door! You can add security, appeal, and value to your home with a superior front door replacement. Let our licensed and insured team help make your entry everything you want it to be, and check out our Home Exterior Checklist for other ways you can enhance and maintain your exterior.
If you are ready for a new front door, contact us for a free estimate today!
